A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Twenty-Four

Light pierced the lids of Eve eyes. The left side of her body was cold as ice and aching slightly. Her head throbbed and her mouth was dry. She forced herself to open her eyes and slowly eased herself up. She braced her hands on the cool, tiled floor, unsure as to what she was doing in the entryway of the house.

Her stomach lurched suddenly, the skin on her head feeling too tight and her skin feeling cool and warm all at once. She pushed herself up and hurried into the downstairs privy. She clutched the porcelain toilet, her stomach aching as she heaved and heaved. She was almost certain it was the pint of ale coming up, burning her throat and nose as it forced its way out. She was trembling as she rested her head against the cool material.

Once she felt she was done emptying her stomach, she sat with her back to the wall in the narrow room, pulling her legs up to her chest. She sighed, hands trembling as she remembered the events of the night before. She placed her hand on the column of her throat, feeling tears burn her eyes. Whether or not they were the murderers – although she was almost certain they were – she had almost died. If that light hadn't flared out of her, whatever it was, she would have been dead.

She exhaled shakily, pulling herself up the wall. She needed sleep. Desperately. She managed to get to her room, stripping to her underthings. She pulled a duvet from the wardrobe, the one she usually only used during the colder season. She felt the tension leave her body as she nestled into her bed, wrapping the thick duvet around her. She sighed, feeling light and warm, closing her eyes.

It felt like a moment later that she was opening her eyes to the sound of an incessant rapping at the door. But the slant of the sun's warm light told her that hours had passed since she had fell into her bed. She rubbed her eyes, rolling onto her back, and letting her arms fall beside her. She exhaled slowly, feeling shuddering relief rock through. She was alive. Alive. She laughed, placing the back of her hand to her mouth to stifle it. Alive, and...

She felt awake. She felt... charged with an energy she had never felt before. As if... As if nothing was impossible. Not for her. Not when there was a light inside her, warm and powerful.

She jumped as a fist thudded hard against the front door.

"Eve," a muffled, male voice yelled, slamming a hand against the door as punctuation. "Eve, are you in here?"

Rik?

She slid out of bed, pulling on her robe and slipping her feet into her slippers. She padded downstairs, gripping the railing firmly. She shoved the small table from the door, the legs squeaking against the tiled floor. She opened the door and Rik blew out a breath, his shoulders sagging in relief.

"Gods above," Ali breathed from behind him, shoving passed to wrap her arms around her. "When you didn't show up for lunch, we were worried sick."

Rik stabbed a hand through his hair. "Well, honestly, when we found you weren't in the library, we were worried sick. What're you doing still in your nightclothes?"

She wasn't wearing nightclothes, she realised, her cheeks darkening as she pulled the robe tighter around her.

"I... Come inside," she said to both of them, ushering them into the parlour. "Let me wash and dress. Help yourselves to coffee or tea in the kitchen. Fan is taking a temporary leave of absence."

"Of course," Ali said, nodding firmly.

"Have you eaten today?" Rik asked as Eve started up the stairs.

She hesitated, remembering the puking session this morning, but was surprised to note she didn't feel any queasiness at the thought of food. "Honestly? I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday," she answered, her hand trailing the rail.